The first pic looks to be legit. Nice speck in an area that looks "south". Angler is doing the old "hold it away from your body so it looks much larger in the pic" trick.

No reason for this next picture to be in the original article. Different angler, different kind of fish. Hills in the background. Combing pads, high walls are signs of an offshore boat - not a bay boat. Could be a legit pic, just not of a 21 pound speckled trout caught in Florida.

Sorry didnt read the whole thread, but every summer I fish the goon and the river a little north of sebastian 3 or 4 times a week, caught a couple 8-9 pounders. This thing just does NOT look right.. weakfish or something it just doesnt look like the speckled trout around here... If it is then but idk i'm not buying it right now.

eta: just saw the post two above me where he mentioned the hills in the back ground DEFF not sebastian... the first pic is legit probably a 9lber.. but the second pic, not a chance in hell

I have pics of my 9# trout and 1 or 2 of the pics it looks like its 20# and the others it looks 5. The one with two guys holding fish is fake, the other one with wade fisherman is real and just good camera work

The article says weakfish not speckled trout, there is a difference. I used to catch weakfish surffshing in Rhode Island. I can assure you they are different than Specks. Fun to catch, good to eat but different....

quote:The spotted seatrout, also known as speckled trout (Cynoscion nebulosus)... This fish is closely related to the weakfish, Cynoscion regalis.

quote:The weakfish grows to 1 m (3 feet) in length and 9 kg (20 pounds) in weight. It is found along the eastern coast of North America from Nova Scotia, Canada to northern Florida, where it is fished both commercially and recreationally.

Well I have to call bull shite on this link as well... It says the length record is 24 somethin inches... That seems a little short.. I know I've caught some pushing 24-25.. Maybe people just dont really submit records for length idk